ENSURING that schoolboys are vaccinated against the potentially deadly human papillomavirus (HPV) could reduce related head and neck cancers in men in the long term, according to new research.
The findings come after a two-year study that involved experts from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Glasgow and Strathclyde universities, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. They looked at 235 patients in Scotland with head and neck cancer and found HPV in 60% of cases.
HPV is a viral infection that is passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 100 varieties of the infection, more than 40 of which are passed through sexual contact and can affect people’s genitals, mouth, or throat.
Dr Kevin Pollock (pictured right), GCU senior research fellow and a co-author of the research – published today in the Elsevier Clinical Oncology Journal – said the findings were great news, given that the Scottish Government has agreed to implement an HPV vaccination programme for adolescent boys in Scotland.
In April, Pollock, along with academics from the universities of Strathclyde, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, revealed ground-breaking research showing that routinely vaccinating schoolgirls had led to a “dramatic” drop in cervical disease later in life.
Researchers found the vaccine has nearly wiped out cases of cervical pre-cancer in young women since an immunisation programme was introduced 10 years ago.
Pollock insisted that introducing routine HPV vaccinations in schools for boys may also prevent some HPV related head and neck cancers in Scotland.
He said: “Our latest data shows that 78% of people with head and neck cancers were men and that HPV was present in 60% of the cancers. This means the vaccine may reduce some of these cancers in the long term in Scotland. Not only that but when we looked at the deprivation status of these cases – much like cervical cancer –head and neck cancers are disproportionately experienced by more deprived individuals.
“We know that smoking and alcohol consumption are linked to these cancers and policies are in place to try and reduce this consumption but the great thing about a vaccine given to young boys is that if you give it early enough and see a high uptake across all the deprived areas you are reducing the inequality.”
Pollock said head and neck cancer has been increasing over last 25 years, particularly amongst men.
In 1994, there were 100 cases in Scotland but by 2015 the numbers had soared three-fold to 350.
“Some of the reasons for this increase are due to alcohol and smoking but we think the proportion of HPV related head and neck cancers are increasing,” he added. “ This might be due to a change in sexual behaviours.”
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK, Development Fund and the lead author was Dr Katie Wakeham, consultant clinical oncologist at Sussex Cancer Centre.
Jamie Rae – a survivor of oropharyngeal cancer – founded the Throat Cancer Foundation (TCF) in 2012 after he became concerned by the lack of resources and support for people facing the condition.
He spearheaded a legal challenge and last year led a successful campaign against the UK Government to get boys vaccinated against HPV.
READ MORE: Scotsman's health battle inspiration behind Throat Cancer Foundation
Rae said: “What Dr Kevin Pollock’s research highlights is both the importance and opportunity to end the destructive impacts HPV has on head and neck cancers.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here